BALTIMORE — Two horses died at racetracks owned by the Stronach Group on Friday, keeping the issue of animal cruelty in horse racing in the public eye on the eve of one of the biggest days in horse racing.

In Baltimore on Friday, on the eve of the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second race of the Triple Crown series, a 3-year-old filly named Congrats Gal died soon after pulling up and finishing last in the nine-horse field in the Miss Preakness Stakes.

At Santa Anita Park in Southern California, a 3-year-old gelding named Commander Coil became the 24th fatality at the racetrack since Dec.